3 - 2 - 1, Lets Jam!

3-2-1
Lets Jam

Hair was everywhere. Curls coiled and stretched out his head. There was so many. They swelled into a fluffy black cloud; a beautiful mess to keep his thoughts warm. Eyes black like a teddy bear, cheeks high, built slender, even toned and skin cinnamon, he was Dai Von Jun - a testament of Vahla genetics, Sector Ranger training and a stranded musician on a planet as fluffy & troubled as his hair. Beyond the balcony, peach tinted heavens sported crepe colored clouds and Dai looked at them. His arms crossed on the railing. What leaned beside him was a suitcase. Other musical talents may travel with their instruments in a container, but he couldn't put his vocal box in a cargo hold. Not that he had to. Over the years as a face of film, music and the Empire, he was a virtuoso of the smile, nod and wave technique. Fan recognition was often humbling when not annoying - it depended on the a number of variables (their personality, his day, setting and etc) - and it was rare he wasn't worried about such matters.

This was one of those rare occasions.

All he saw was all he wanted to care about. However, his mind was elsewhere. Amidst the beauty, among Cloud City's glory, he was without credit chips, a band, a ship, contacts, a datapad and lost much more in merchandise due to one of his "friends" gambling it all when he was sleep. Lucky for them, they hitched a ride with their debt, leaving a message they'd be back within the hour. Of course, the hour became two days. Notoriety was all that kept him fed. Famous faces, with a bit of charisma, could charm a free meal out of a restaurant or two. Yet, he didn't want to become known as the Cloud City freeloader. Rumors spread quickly.

Plus, some couldn't figure out where they knew him from.

Bepsin wasn't exactly Corellia or the Imperial Center. Closer to the Outer Rim, he was more worried about being noticed for some faulty deal he'd squandered or his anti-Imperial rhetoric on his unreleased album. Which just so happened to be his only way off the planet; a bartender at the resort he cashed out on recommended him to a booker who could fund a trip if he performed those unreleased jams for his club's audience. Giving the booker exclusive treatment was problematic enough - his lyrics & Sector Ranger name weren't a good mix - but, Dai also had issues with the fact he had no band.

He shook his head staring. If he was reserving his voice for something more useful, he'd mumble, "How the frell did I get here?"

Alienor was glad she had got to reconnect with Molly and start networking on Bespin. She wasn't the kind to stay in a single place too long but she was definitely working towards getting a place of her own around as she bet it would do good for business of all kinds, both her public one and her underground totally thrilling and illegal one. She loved living the life of her choice across the galaxy. That suited her. She guessed it ran in the family, though she wasn't as much of a drifter as her cousin, or so she thought at least.

She had been meeting with a couple of entertainment managers in Cloud City for a few possible gigs before she headed off. She was a famous and very versatile name and that helped booking stuff in different kinds of places. She would hear from them soon, but for now she was bloody starving and needed to get a bite, with some good booze while she was on it.

Humming to herself, she had a bounce in her steps as she mingled in the crowd of pedestrians, heading to her next destination.

The rail was all that kept him from falling to his death off the side of the Cloud City. He leaned against it like a sturdy wall. In a pivot about, he laid both elbows and his back against the balcony's rail and looked back into the establishment. Crowds formed. Chatter filled the lounge. Men of esteem garbled about voyages from collegiate estates and other garbage the former Sector Ranger couldn't muster a scoff at. More weighed on his brain than prestige. Yet, his eyes had become trained to see it.

Some people walked with a given purpose; speedy steps, thrown together in a blur to a destination, their back straight and legs straighter. Others floated with their nose high, untouched, each of their gestures wide and dramatic and pompous. Often those were the children to great, straight walkers - born to wealth. Then, there was the rare artist. They bounced when they walk. They moved with pep through the inner circles of high status ghouls and goblins. All the lavish lives were simply an adventure to them, and Dai loved to watch them move.

So much he hadn't noticed a waiter standing before him as he tracked down one flaunting about on her way out the room. She'd obviously been networking, which was what Dai had found himself there for, however, he also had not made that clear to the waiter enough as she asked "Sir, can I interest you in a drink" with a voice as if she had repeated it several times before to him. The waiter was drained. But, Dai was transfixed. So, he gave her a shake of the head without any eye contact.

He still watched her.

The waiter began to turn away, but was quickly halted by a soft tug at the arm. Still, without any eye contact, he threw in his request. "You go grab her, I'll make sure you get a great tip." Dai didn't have any credits to tip anyone with. However, it did sound nice. Plus, it was more so promise he could fulfil at a later date. Its not like he set a time table to the tip. Before the waiter could smile, he shooed her away with a cheeky grin of his own, and looked on to watch his scheme unfold.

When she made it to the bar she was planning to grab a bite at, Alienor was still thinking about various things and taking the sights and patrons in, out of habit. Certain things didn't change and she always liked being in tune with her surroundings and getting a feel of a place. It was amusing as she was no Force wizard but she had solid observations skills and analytical mind.

She was about to make her way to the upstairs section when a waitress approached her. She quirked a brow at the mention that a man wanted her to come sit at his table. Alienor was curious by nature, although no fool, and thanked the waitress.

She confidently made her way towards the man's table, unable to place him anywhere although there was something vaguely familiar about him. "Hello there," She politely said before taking the seat across him. "I'm Ali," she simply introduced herself.

She was anything but simple. Dai noticed that. Back upright, hair blonde, eyes strong, she look poised for more than bar loitering. She looked capable and like "Alienor Tankreyd?" Dai proposed the idea with his hand open and out for greetings. Before she gathered herself to verify, he gave his eyes to her with another one of his smiles and a, "I am Dai Von Juñ, and I'm a musician."

To some, such a comment would be an understatement. The Outer Rim territories still rung with his underground unreleased ballads. Music files shared through data transfers unmarked with his name blended to the same timbre, tone and syncopations his band was known for in the outer sectors. It was a jizz, sparkle-bop, leap-jump and rock blend. The rock was what kept him quieted, until now.

There on the balcony, he hoped to offer her an opportunity, and thus, himself, a chance to escape the beautiful planet that acted as a backdrop, in all it' pink wonder, so he could get on about his business. Not that he had much business to concern himself with, being that he no longer walked the Sector Ranger and Imperial path. Yet, his business did include keeping his head down and pockets full as he avoided the Galactic Empire's scrutiny. Such sudden retirements and disappearances did not go unnoticed. And, he was keenly and aptly aware of how those on the Empire's naughty list were treated.

"I mean, a musician as well..." He winked.

Alienor arched a brow when he showed knowledge of her real name. Her expression turned into a bright one, including a big grin, as he explained who he was. "That's a name I haven't heard in a long time," she commented, surprise passing in her eyes as she looked at him. While she was young, she had been a musician for most of her life and she had been a space wanderer as a pirate for about a decade, thanks to a fairly early start. While her training was traditional and classical, she had interest in many musical genres. And the underworld also was a place for musical trades and goods, not just the physical contraband kind.

When the waitress approached again, asking for their order, she went with an ale. That would do for now. She then returned her attention to the man in front of her. "The galaxy is quite the small world. Many opportunities around here, but I didn't expect to run into a fellow musician."

He offered a small smile in return. "Well, Ali," he started as he turned to the balcony ledge to look out hoping she'd join him. "There is someone slapping drums as we speak. Blowing horns, singing tunes," he nodded. "There's maybe too many musicians, some may say." Dai stared out for a second. All the time he'd spent out in the outskirts of the universe playing with his band he'd met many faces. Some he could barely recall. However, more were scorched into his brain with good play on stage and foul play off-stage. Musicians surely came in all shapes, sizes, creeds and species, yet there was a running thread which bounded them all. Whatever made an artist tick, tocked in all of them.

"But not all as good as you," he sent his gaze back at her. "You got a gig here or something?"

Alienor grinned slightly at the man's quaint observation. "I heard the music scene is rather inclined to gather East from here. That's where I have encountered most so far." She had been scouting the scene, and not just for music opportunities, but her other dealings were private.

"I do, as a matter of fact. I was offered to play at the Silver Descent in a few days. I also did a couple of impromptu shows in the past week, when the atmosphere was right."

She canted her head to the side, her vibrant blue eyes upon her fellow artist. "What about you?

"Stuck," he groaned.

Dai was sure the best way out of this dump was through his talents. Otherwise, he'd become an unwanted patron at this bar in no time - if not another bar. Of course, he could scrounge enough sniveling around with sob stories, but that wasn't his style. Nor would he bed his way into the stars or con a man. Dai had gone the straight-and-narrow. Before the Empire got a hold of him, all the aforementioned options would have been on the table. Yet, he had changed. And, he didn't want to alert many of his presence. Even outside of the Galactic Empire's reaches, there was always eyes.

"But maybe not for long. Silver Descent, that around here?"

Alienor quirked a brow as Dai mentioned being stuck. In her view, Cloud City was a good place to get unstuck if you had skills and brain, which she believed her fellow musician possessed. She took another sip from her drink, relaxing a bit more into her seat.

"Yes, it's a few blocks away. They don't do a lot of overt promotion but they have a good scene. They have both open mic night and scheduled performance. I surprised people by doing the first before bagging the latter," she explained before grinning mischievously.

"The bar owner doesn't have very broad tastes in music but he definitely takes his barkeep's opinion into account."

He leaned back. "What is his taste?"

"Experimental with a hint of jazz," Alienor downed half of her drink, before setting the glass back atop the table. She absentmindedly hummed a tune for a brief moment.

"His barkeep is more into metal style, which can lean towards new spins on traditional songs."

"Eh, I can do that."

Dai had not ordered anything. He needed a drink. His mouth was parched. How could he sing under such circumstances? The man had become a bit of a diva. Sector Ranger life was no solo act. Resources were everywhere. The Empire spoiled him with whatever he needed. Before that was the life of a musician and child actor. There was not many times in his life he'd have to ask and not receive. When he sensed the the waitress walking pass them, he turned about and gestured for a drink & mouthed water.

"Still, you've got to link me with this bar owner." If he could get the water and scoot off fast enough the waitress wouldn't ask for a tip. Or, the waitress might just put the bill on Ali. That would work. Either way, he needed to start making moves.

Alienor raised a brow at the man before her, as she finished her own drink. She tilted her head to the side and smirked.

"Well, you asked me questions about the bar owner. So we can go as soon as you drink your water."

She was observant by nature and her adventures in the underworld had sharpened such skills.

She tossed a few credits with a tip to the waitress when the other woman brought Dai's water.